Hendrick Goltzius

Delacre Collection, sale, Paris, 26 June 1950, possibly lot 145;
Jacques Fryszman, Boulogne-Billancourt (bears his drystamp, lower right, JF in monogram, not in Lugt)

E.K.J. Reznicek, 'Drawings by Hendrick Goltzius, Thirty Years Later.  Supplement to the 1961 catalogue raisonné', Master Drawings, vol. XXXI, no. 3 (1993), pp. 269-70, no. K 443b, fig. 71 

Window mounted. There is some discolouration due to previous glue at the two upper corners and some lighter discolouration to the lower right corner. There is some light foxing scattered throughout the sheet. The medium is still fresh throughout.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

As Reznicek noted (loc. cit.), Goltzius made this accomplished drawing in the last year of his life.  Alongside the two finely drawn figure studies are two areas of broadly executed shading, in which we see the brilliant pennekonst ('art of the pen') technique, imitating the rhythmic, swelling lines of an engraving, which had been such a hallmark of Goltzius's style in earlier decades.  Perhaps he included these passages here to demonstrate that he was still capable of such technical virtuosity. 

The drawing is recorded, in reverse, in an anonymous engraving.¹

1.  Reznicek, op. cit., p. 269, fig. 72